Last night the first team drew its match against Hastings 1, which was enough for us to win the first division championship for the third year in succession. The team finished with 8 points out of 9 with Hastings 1 coming second with 7 points. Not long after the start of the match a mobile phone belonging to Hastings player, Paul Kelly, went off and according to the rules John Henshaw could have claimed a win. However, he sportingly declined to do so and after a few more moves won the game. John has had a particularly successful season in the league scoring seven wins and two draws in nine games. After John's win, draws were obtained by Paul, Geoffrey and me before Luke lost a complex game against Welsh international player, Francis Rayner.
Teams in the first division of the Mid-Sussex League compete for the Mowatt Cup. Godfrey F Mowatt, a preacher and Justice of Peace (c. 1874-1958), presented the trophy for the first Mid-Sussex League in 1923. The original competition, which came to an end in 1939, was for clubs centred around Haywards Heath. The league was revived in the 1967-68 season and at first followed the pattern of the first competition with clubs in the middle of Sussex taking part. Grading restrictions were also applied in the early years. Gradually the league allowed clubs from outside the central area of Sussex to take part and from 1993 it was clearly established that clubs could field their strongest teams. Another barrier was taken away in 2011, when Hastings (and presumably other clubs situated a good distance from the middle of the county) were allowed to play home fixtures. The league is thriving nowadays with four divisions and includes clubs from all parts of the county with the exception of the extreme south western area.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
First team defeats Horsham 1
Last night the first team won 3-2 against Horsham 1 in the Mid-Sussex League. Wins were obtained by John and me and John conjured up a pretty mating position. Geoffrey and Paul both obtained strong positions, but were thwarted by resourceful defending by their opponents and drew their games. Luke lost against the very strong player, Gavin Lock.
This win means that we are now one match point and three game points ahead of Hastings 1 and an interesting match between the clubs is expected next Thursday. If my maths is correct, Hastings must beat us 4-1 to tie first with us and 4.5 to 0.5 to become outright champions. Although we are ahead on points, we must not become complacent as Hastings are very worthy opponents. In 2009 they needed to win 5-0 in their last match in the league to share the first place and they achieved just that.
As I said previously, spectators are welcome. They must, however, be willing to be silent in the match room and to ensure that doors are shut firmly on entering and leaving the room.
This win means that we are now one match point and three game points ahead of Hastings 1 and an interesting match between the clubs is expected next Thursday. If my maths is correct, Hastings must beat us 4-1 to tie first with us and 4.5 to 0.5 to become outright champions. Although we are ahead on points, we must not become complacent as Hastings are very worthy opponents. In 2009 they needed to win 5-0 in their last match in the league to share the first place and they achieved just that.
As I said previously, spectators are welcome. They must, however, be willing to be silent in the match room and to ensure that doors are shut firmly on entering and leaving the room.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Sussex University
A good connection was made between the two clubs on Saturday. An enjoyable afternoon occurred between teams of seven players.
Our club won 4.5 to 2.5. Winning boards being, Miles Miller, Sylvia Card, Stan Chekhachyov, myself and a draw with Alan Preston.
Our club won 4.5 to 2.5. Winning boards being, Miles Miller, Sylvia Card, Stan Chekhachyov, myself and a draw with Alan Preston.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Tournament game etiquette
Please keep to the agreed starting time and aim to arrive with time in hand. If you are not present after 15 minutes, from the agreed starting time, your opponent is entitled to start the clocks.
He/she can the win by default. Your grade will not be effected only your tournament result.
If one cannot make an agreed arrangement, please give your opponent at least 24 hours notice.
Any problems or genuine excuses can be discussed with myself.
He/she can the win by default. Your grade will not be effected only your tournament result.
If one cannot make an agreed arrangement, please give your opponent at least 24 hours notice.
Any problems or genuine excuses can be discussed with myself.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Sussex University
On Saturday 15th march at 2.00pm a team of seven from Sussex University will be playing a friendly match v our club. This means are tournament games will probably occur alongside this match.
New and improved!!
The digital clock setting instructions Anthony has produced have been further amended to meet our particular time settings and can be seen via the yellow tabs above. These make clock setting a piece of cake for even the most traumatised of techno-phobes. Paper copies will be appearing at the club for hands-on use - so no excuses for not setting your own clock! (Anthony and Michael Cain have also offered expert help if you're stuck.)
Also Anthony, Geoff, Ian and Rob have re-sorted the sets and put many of them into new drawstring bags which are more secure and easier to carry and store. Please try and keep them sorted by counting your set back into its bag and putting any strays or interlopers into a specially-marked box. No more playing with assorted shades of antiquated cream and only vaguely related pieces - this is proper tournament style for 2014!
Also Anthony, Geoff, Ian and Rob have re-sorted the sets and put many of them into new drawstring bags which are more secure and easier to carry and store. Please try and keep them sorted by counting your set back into its bag and putting any strays or interlopers into a specially-marked box. No more playing with assorted shades of antiquated cream and only vaguely related pieces - this is proper tournament style for 2014!
Friday, March 7, 2014
First team progress report
The first team have played two matches since my posting last week and these have involved travelling to both Crowborough and Horsham. Our Mid-Sussex League match against Crowborough 1 resulted in a 3.5 to 1.5 win for us. Our hosts were missing three strong players and wins were obtained by John and me, while Luke, Geoff and Paul drew. This win gives us a total of 6.5 points out of 7, but Hastings 1's 4-1 win against Lewes 1 means that they are still only half a point behind us. Our last two games are at home against Horsham 1 and Hastings 1 later this month and it is going to be a tough battle to win the first division championship.
Our other match was played against Horsham in the semi-final of the McArthur Cup, the Sussex knock-out competition which was first won by Lewes in 1889. Because the matches are decided over six boards and we had only one car, it was necessary for one player to travel by train. Thanks are due to Paul and Luke for sharing this duty. Horsham are a very strong team and we were at one time in a difficult position. After Luke drew his game and I lost, the remaining four players knuckled down to the challenge and all did well to win. The winners were Geoff, Paul, John and Mustapha, who all faced strong opposition. The 4.5 to 1.5 win means that we face Hastings in the final who defeated Haywards Heath by the same score.
Our other match was played against Horsham in the semi-final of the McArthur Cup, the Sussex knock-out competition which was first won by Lewes in 1889. Because the matches are decided over six boards and we had only one car, it was necessary for one player to travel by train. Thanks are due to Paul and Luke for sharing this duty. Horsham are a very strong team and we were at one time in a difficult position. After Luke drew his game and I lost, the remaining four players knuckled down to the challenge and all did well to win. The winners were Geoff, Paul, John and Mustapha, who all faced strong opposition. The 4.5 to 1.5 win means that we face Hastings in the final who defeated Haywards Heath by the same score.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
New In Chess Magazine - iPad version
Hi All,
New In Chess Magazine (NIC) is probably the most nicely produced Chess magazine there is, though I've found I can't justify the expense of subscription as I never get round to playing through all the analysis, they usually have great interviews though!
NIC have recently released an iPad version, if you are lucky enough to own an iPad they are also giving away a free copy of one of the recent issues to try out. It looks very good and they've done a great job of integrating a game player so that you can play through game analysis on the iPad as you go throughout the magazine, nice.
All in all I think it's a great way to 'consume' a chess magazine, it's a shame the electronic version isn't any cheaper. (This seems to be the way of the publishing world these days, I do think that digital versions should be cheaper then 'hard' copies).
Cheers, Kevin.
New In Chess Magazine (NIC) is probably the most nicely produced Chess magazine there is, though I've found I can't justify the expense of subscription as I never get round to playing through all the analysis, they usually have great interviews though!
NIC have recently released an iPad version, if you are lucky enough to own an iPad they are also giving away a free copy of one of the recent issues to try out. It looks very good and they've done a great job of integrating a game player so that you can play through game analysis on the iPad as you go throughout the magazine, nice.
All in all I think it's a great way to 'consume' a chess magazine, it's a shame the electronic version isn't any cheaper. (This seems to be the way of the publishing world these days, I do think that digital versions should be cheaper then 'hard' copies).
Cheers, Kevin.
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